Delivering better public services

National is committed to delivering better public services to all New Zealanders. We want a state sector that is focused on achieving results that really matter to New Zealanders.

In education, our focus is squarely on raising achievement, particularly for those groups of students who have historically underperformed.

We will be moving quickly to get our significant welfare reform programme underway, and early in the year we will introduce the first bill to enact the youth reforms announced last year. These target young people who are very much at risk of long-term welfare dependency.

In health we are working with local primary care networks throughout the country to provide free after-hours GP visits to children under six.

And in public safety we will be introducing legislation to strengthen sentencing, parole and bail laws.